What Is IDAHOT?

IDAHOTsounds like a new potato to rival the french fries at McDonald’s.But it’s much more widespread and
important.May 17th is
IDAHOT day.So, what is it?It’s International Day Against
Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

This Day, celebrated since 2004, is
the largest LGBTI Solidarity event to occur globally to bring attention to the
violence of LGBT individuals. It has 1,000 events taking place in 120 countries
worldwide. Think of it as a global celebration of Sexual and Gender Diversities.
IDAHOT is recognized by international institutions, governments, and marked by
UNESCO.

Why
We Need This Day:

·Same-sex
relationships are still illegal in 72 countries (37 of them are UN member
states). In places like Chechnya, you can be killed if you’re LGBT or beheaded
in Muslim countries.

·LGBT
employees are still not out in the workplace.

·LGBT
students do not feel safe at school and miss at least one day of school per
month.

·Forty
per cent of homeless population consist of LGBT children evicted from their
homes.

·Transsexuals
have the highest suicide and assault rates of the LGBT population.

·In
some states, therapists are allowed to practice conversion therapy that tries to make the patient straight and is
not only ineffective, but produces dire side effects in the LGBT person.

What
To Expect On May 17:

·In
San Francisco, at Harvey Milk Plaza, LGBT activists will continue to pressure
Russia to act against Chechnya.With the pink triangle in the background (sign of The Holocaust), co-created
by Patrick Carney, he will speak about the significance of remembering LGBT
Holocaust victims.

·Chelsea
Manning, the Army transgender intelligence analyst convicted of a Wikileaks
leak, will be released from prison after serving the bulk of her thirty-five prison
sentence, and being commuted by Obama before he left office.

·In
other areas of the world, Lithuania kicks off the celebration.In Chile, the local governments joined
the Rainbow Campaign initiated by the national LGBT group, Movhil. Kosovo is holding a march to ask for the right to register
same-sex partnerships.

For Allies: Teachers,
Companies, Social Media

·Teachers can use this day to organize an
activity in class to inspire change.Unesco, among others, has developed a specific IDAHO lesson plan for
both primary and secondary levels.